“And why shouldn’t one fall in love with a man who—who——”
“Would be delighted to do all that?”
“Of course he’d be delighted. I mean a man who—who could do it.”
“Rich?”
“Papa says differences in worldly position are rightly ordained.”
“No doubt he’s correct. Your man would have to be quite rich, wouldn’t he? Seven besides you!”
“Oh, we aren’t accustomed to much,” said Prudence, with a smile at me which somehow made me wish for a cheque-book and an immense amount of tact; a balance at the bank we will presuppose.
“And may I ask,” I resumed, “why you are selected out of all the family for this—er—sacrifice?”
She blushed, but she was wary. “I’m the eldest girl, you see,” she said.
“Just so,” I agreed. “I was very stupid not to think of that.”